Which term is defined as 'self-rule/governance'?

• A. Autonomy is a form of freedom
• B. Sovereignty
• C. Independence
• D. Self rule/governance

Answer: (D)

The idea being tested is the exact term for when a group or political entity governs itself. Self-rule/governance is the direct expression of that concept: it describes the authority to make and enforce laws, set policies, and manage internal affairs without external control. It captures the act of governing oneself, which is what “self-rule” means in practice.

Sovereignty refers to the ultimate authority a state holds, often in the international arena, and isn’t about the day-to-day mechanism of self-government within a unit. Independence denotes a status of not being under another’s control, which is broader than the ongoing process of self-governance. Autonomy is related—it describes internal self-government within a larger entity and may stay within constraints set by others. But the phrase self-rule/governance aligns directly with the definition, making it the best fit.